This mouthful of melon was rather disgusting; the imperial family was truly heartless.
Gu Yan Chen merely treated it as a play he had watched. After court, he patted his backside and walked out. Midway, he was called to the Imperial Garden by Li Fu Rui.
Emperor Chang Wu was listlessly trimming branches with a large pair of shears. The cluster of bushes was beginning to take shape, already resembling a dog. Gu Yan Chen had always thought such fluffy little animals were only liked by young girls. When he was first engaged, he had gifted his fiancée a small, snow-white kitten to please her.
Although the cat was uncooperative and soon got lost, his fiancée had indeed liked it.
"Prime Minister Gu has arrived. No need for formalities. It's just the two of us here, keep me company in conversation."
The motion of Gu Yan Chen kneeling halfway stopped. Kneeling on the pebble-paved ground would surely be uncomfortable, and it was certainly better not to kneel if possible.
Emperor Chang Wu put down the large shears and, after a moment of serious admiration of his handiwork, asked, "Prime Minister Gu, what does this look like?"
"Your Majesty's craftsmanship is excellent. This dog looks lifelike."
"But I intended to trim a wolf."
Gu Yan Chen: ...
This was awkward. He racked his brain for a long while before saying, "It's alright. There are many bushes in the Imperial Garden. Your Majesty can trim it again."
Emperor Chang Wu laughed heartily, but his gaze towards Gu Yan Chen was filled with complexity. "Do you know? If it were any of my sons now, they would surely find aspects of this dog that resemble a wolf from various angles."
"Perhaps your minister is simply poor of sight." In any case, he couldn't find any resemblance between the dog and a wolf.
Emperor Chang Wu said meaningfully, "Poor sight is of no consequence. It is the deceitful act of calling a deer a horse that is infuriating. Come, accompany me for a walk."
This was displeasure towards Situ Jue. His Majesty truly knew everything. But then again, if he could receive the news, how could His Majesty not? What made Situ Jue believe he could hide anything from His Majesty?
It was fortunate that Marquis Qi Ying dared to argue so righteously for his grandson in court. It was likely all being noted in His Majesty's little black book, waiting for reckoning in the autumn.
As the sun began to rise, the air in the Imperial Garden was very pleasant.
Along the pebble-paved path, Gu Yan Chen walked half a step behind Emperor Chang Wu. Lost in thought, his brow was slightly furrowed.
Emperor Chang Wu proactively asked, "What are your thoughts on the Sixth Prince's case, Prime Minister Gu?"
"It is for Your Majesty to decide."
Gu Yan Chen, who had learned the art of evasion, answered in a perfectly conventional manner. Unfortunately, Emperor Chang Wu was unwilling to be brushed off so easily and pressed further, "You also know the truth. Don't you feel that my actions are unfair?"
Gu Yan Chen remained silent. He did, indeed, feel so.
Emperor Chang Wu explained, "There are two points. Firstly, the Sixth Prince has been associated with the Fifth Prince all these years, and I fear he would not meet a good end. Secondly, if the Fifth Prince were to fall this time, the Crown Prince's faction would become overwhelmingly dominant, which is absolutely not a situation an emperor would wish to see."
Uh, this...
Gu Yan Chen looked perplexed. "Why is Your Majesty telling this minister these things?"
He was merely a humble Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. What concern were these royal secrets to him?
Emperor Chang Wu clearly faltered. Even through his dragon robe, Gu Yan Chen could sense his body stiffen. After a while, he waved his hand, "Just consider it that I am getting old and wish to find someone to chat with."
Shouldn't the elderly find other elderly people to converse with?
Of course, Gu Yan Chen dared not voice this thought. He lowered his gaze submissively and replied, "It is my honor, Your Majesty."
"Then let me ask you again, if this case were in your charge, would you have helped to cover it up like the Minister of Justice?"
"No."
"Why?"
"The Court of Judicial Review is different from other yamen. If even the department specializing in investigations cannot distinguish right from wrong, then what justice is left in this world?"
Emperor Chang Wu was displeased. "Did I not analyze the advantages and disadvantages of doing so for you? Why do you still not know how to make a choice?"
"Weighing the pros and cons is Your Majesty's method. Your minister only needs to be responsible for presenting the truth."
This son couldn't be taught. The veins on Emperor Chang Wu's forehead twitched. "How did Gu Rong teach you? Don't you know that besides black and white, there are many shades of gray in this world?"
Gu Yan Chen humbly indicated that he had learned his lesson.
What he thought inwardly was: His Majesty is acting rather strangely today. Why is he saying such perplexing things? If even the department investigating cases is thinking of muddling the waters, then what is the purpose of their existence as investigative bodies?